Christmas Wish List – Small Forwards
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Throughout the spring, summer and fall, we have seen a number of 2023s across South Carolina announce their commitments as to where they will play at the next level. But, of course, not everyone has signed. Onlookers of high school…
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Continue ReadingThroughout the spring, summer and fall, we have seen a number of 2023s across South Carolina announce their commitments as to where they will play at the next level. But, of course, not everyone has signed.
Onlookers of high school girls basketball across the state understand that the talent pool is deep across all classes. This year’s graduating class is no exception to that rule.
Of course, collegiate coaches are occupied currently as their own seasons are now in full swing, but here are a few senior small forwards from the Palmetto State that these coaches need to have their eye on for their 2023 recruiting classes.
Mason is back and back with a vengeance. With the A’ja Wilson Elite product having returned for her senior season, Gray Collegiate is poised to put the rest of the 2A landscape on notice as one of its teams to beat. Mason stands at an even six feet and displays her versatility as a veteran talent who can play either at the three, four or five. As potent a scorer as she is near the rim, she also excels as a rebounder and puts herself in position to corral plenty of steals. There is a reason why she was offered by Dawn Staley and South Carolina when she was a freshman at Irmo.
As of this writing, Daniels has played in nine of the ten contests that the 4A Redhawks have competed in. The 10.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 steals she has averaged thus far per contest have been key in Westwood jumping out to a fast 8-2 start. Daniels is an efficient floor runner and this can particularly show itself in transition. This past summer, Daniels landed an offer from Allen University. Also, this past summer was her final playing travel ball and she wore the uniform of SC Future. Daniels can find her way to the rim against a number of defenders and plays the game on contact which enables her to get to the free throw line.
In some ways, the 2022-23 rendition of the 3A Iron Horses is the Lowcountry’s version of High Point Academy – a top-tier team with three upperclassmen that make up its nucleus. Mack is part of that nucleus and she also is one of the three Philip Simmons team captains. In addition to what she does as a small forward, Mack can also find playing time as a wing. She is a two-sport athlete who has also played lacrosse in addition to what she does on the basketball court. Mack, who has averaged 9.4 points and eight rebounds thus far this season as of this writing is a key reason why the Iron Horses have started the season 6-2.
McCloud is a transfer from one 4A school in Indian Land to another 4A school in South Pointe. She has proven to be a major reason why the Stallions have began the season with an undefeated 7-0 mark as of this writing. She keeps opposing teams guessing as it appears that there can be more than one of her on the floor. McCloud’s 5-foot-8 frame certainly comes in handy when rebounding and the contact she draws will lead to her connecting on her free throw opportunities. She can also prepare to box out in case of a missed free throw. McCloud scored 12 points at the A1 Hoops Report-hosted She Got Next event at White Knoll HS where her team was locked in a tight overtime contest with two-time defending champion Military Magnet.
This season has encapsulated exactly why Haynes originally landed a berth on the 5A Warriors roster when she was an eighth grader – a year where Stall moved up from 4A to 5A. Haynes has competed in five matchups so far for the Warriors and she has averaged 20.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in those matchups. Stall has began the season with a 4-1 record with the sole blemish on its 2022-23 slate thus far being a defeat at the hands of 3A Crestwood earlier this month. Haynes stands at 5-foot-8. This past spring and summer, she competed on the AAU circuit with Lowcountry Premier 17U in her final travel season.
Speaking of Lowcountry Premier products, that is where Cook spent her final travel season this past spring and summer. She has translated that into what has been, so far, an impressive senior campaign for both her and the 5A Knights. Cook has averaged 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in the eight games Stratford has played in thus far. As her statistics display, she is adept as a scorer and as a rebounder. Cook also excels as a pass deflector on defense with an ability to affect an opposing team’s passing lanes. She also plays unafraid to draw contact to get to the free throw line and is versatile where she can play either at the three or the four.
Lawrence spent her final AAU season running with Upward Stars Select 2023. During her time with 2A Silver Bluff, she has become used to leading her Bulldogs into big games – including the 2A state championship game in 2021-22 and last season’s 2A Lower State Final. Lawrence assumes team captaincy duties for Silver Bluff and manages to find playing time as either a forward or as a guard. She stands at 5-foot-10 and is a consistent double-double threat on a game-by-game basis. Defensively, she is also a frontcourt anchor for the Bulldogs with her ability to reject shots and plays the game on contact which gives her plenty of chances at the free throw line. Lawrence has also played volleyball throughout her career at Silver Bluff.
In 2021-22, the Vikings put everyone on notice that the team was beginning its rapid ascent up South Carolina’s 5A ranks. That ascent appears to continue. Coach Megan Assey’s Spring Valley 2022-23 assembling, as of this writing, has started the season with a 6-3 record with the veteran Liebert leading the way. She is averaging 11.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals in those nine games. Liebert is an exceptional ball handler who can also play as a two in addition to a three. She displays impressive court vision, can take and make her fair share of 3-point tries and is a consistent on-court leader for her team.
Highlights
Prep Girls Hoops got a glimpse of Foggie back during the summer when Legacy Early College was one of the teams that participated at a June camp hosted by Presbyterian College and coach Alaura Sharp. During the travel season, she ran under the Adidas umbrella with Upward Stars 2023 3SSB. Foggie can display plenty of accuracy from behind the 3-point line and displays plenty of speed and ball handling abilities. She can deliver strong finishes at the rim and does plenty of the little things that may not show up on the score sheet – such as diving for loose balls. Her attitude is always one where she puts the team above herself.
Lyde hoops for one of the state’s signature 4A programs in South Florence and the Bruins are looking like that once again. She has led her team to an undefeated 6-0 start as of this writing. Lyde has participated in multiple athletic disciplines throughout her career as she also has participated in volleyball and track and field events in addition to what she does on the basketball court. In the six games that the Bruins have played in this season, she has averaged a double-double with 13.2 points and 10.7 rebounds along with 2.7 steals. Lyde brings an abundance of skill along with versatility as she can play minutes as either a small forward or as a one or two in the backcourt.